Defense Verdict for MSZL&M Maryland Office

Sandra Carson, Sr. Litigation Counsel in MSZL&M’s Maryland office, recently obtained a defense verdict in favor of our client, a large national retailer, after a 4-day jury trial in the Circuit Court for Carroll County. Plaintiff, who was seeking over $200,000 in damages plus attorney’s fees, claimed that our client and co-defendant, an independent contractor of our client, improperly installed a new oil boiler in their home. Plaintiff also alleged that defendants spilled heating oil in their yard during removal of the old boiler, which allegedly caused soil contamination and a threat to the property’s well.  Claims against both defendants included negligence, breach of contract, trespass, nuisance and violations of Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act.   The jury found in favor of our client on all counts, while finding that the co-defendant was negligent and awarding damages against co-defendant in the amount of $10,000.